Hell all,
Let me give you the backstory:
I ordered a r56 s back on May 5. Since then I've been checking my production status religiously. Sadly it was never moved off "on oder." My dealer (to remain unnamed, for now) called me yestereday, May23. Unfortunately, I missed the call and was unable to get back in touch until today.

Here's where the fun starts. I logged on to check my status; still on order. But I noticed that the color was different. I order chili red, it was on lightning blue. So I clicked order details and the entire build was different. So I emailed my sales guy. He calls me about 15 minutes later and told me the production was overbooked and there aren't going to be anymore 2012's and I have to reorder a 2013. Has anyone ever hear of this happening? I could maybe understand having to delay my order but to replace it with a different order and then tell me that 2012 production is over, I don't buy it.

 

I am NOT in the know on the model year change over, but something sounds fishy with a May change over date to the 2013s. But, if you order now and get a 2013 (in a reasonable time frame)..... GREAT!

 

I don't know if this is true in your case, but dealers often start with an existing production slot, and put your order in its place. This explains the odd builds that show up in the online descriptions. Your own specs eventually replace the original ones.

Perhaps your dealer's first production slot available was for a 2013, and the generic 2013 in the slot just needs your specs.

 

The color thing isn't new. Happened to me. What they do is pick a car off the line that was going to general production, and make it yours. The color it was changed to was the original color it was supposed to get. They may have had to reshuffle your car into a different production batch resulting in the color change, but it will get changed back. As to why you can't get a '12 model year car, I don't know.

 

It was an original production slot. The problem is that the car that was already in there was a white one. Mine was uploaded a few days later with my color as well as all the options. Now it's completely different and I was told there aren't anymore 2012s being produced. How does that make sense if there is still a build out there with my production number but it's a different car?

Anyway my dealer called (hi josh) and we are putting a new order in. I will find out the specifics and report back. All just sounds strange.

 

It does seem early, but the same thing happened last year. Orders for 2012s last year started the week of June 20-24. Any orders placed just before that were all kicked back and made to re-order.

If there are a lot of cars on order, it makes sense that they'd cut off orders now so they can finish production before the 2013s are available.

Doesn't seem too odd at all, actually...

 

Talked to my dealer. Had to reorder but luckily my timeframe still looks the same (maybe a week later). Unfortunately sirius radio is no longer standard (now Bluetooth is) but I ordered the tech package. So I'm paying the same amount and getting less. Not happy about that.

 

I'd roll with. You'll get a 13 instead of 12 and depending on how long you keep it, the extra couple of weeks of waiting may benefit you when you sell or trade later as it will be viewed as "newer" versus as 2012. Maybe ask the dealer to do something for you in return for your wait...I don't know...clearbra, 50% on clearbra or something.

 

Do something for him for the difference?
Split any cost changes that are created.
He entered a contract. As the injured party from the break in agreement, he can renegotiate from a stronger position. The wait was not guaranteed, but the product was (he selected options as provided on a '12).
Could be a win-win for him. Newer model, better than average price.

Fight 'em. "We agreed on a car. You ordered it. I waited. Now you tell me it is something different. Are we talking bait and switch?"

 

Matt: I do like the idea of getting a 2013 (in the long run)

4xAAA: I am pretty bummed about the Sirius radio, was looking forward too it. I'm going to try to get them to include it or compensate me another way. The dealer is strict with pricing (they are the only one within 150+ miles). Hopefully I'll get something out of it.

 

thats weird, I ordered mine May 10 and it's supposedly supposed to finish production today. crossing my fingers on that!

 

Please tell me you're joking. I had to completely reorder, new production number and all.

 

sry, Anthony, I just called the Mini USA owner hotline for tracking; my car is done with production and on a carrier en route to the port of exit.

 

Now you have me wondering...my chili red R56 S was ordered on Monday and it's still on order. If your's was ordered 3 weeks earlier...

 

2 weeks to the day!

 

If you wouldn't mind, could you call your dealer and see what the status is of your oder. I wondering if mine is just trying to pull a fast one.

 

The dealers have allocations. They order cars for their lot inventory based on the allocation. When you order a car, it replaces one of the orders for inventory. Some people get lucky when a dealer has an inventory order nearing production, others don't.

 

We ordered a 2004 Justacooper with parts specifically for the 2004, which did not continue on to the 2005 and we lost some chrome pieces. Overall, we got a better steering wheel, better looking lights and a few other minor things and we did not receive delivery until late August 2004. This is normal, when you think about it, they have to retool their factory between some of the model years to keep up with the updates to the cars. I would say this is normal. Did they tell you what may be different?

Oh yeah, it also said it was going to be Red and black and we ordered BRG and White. It is a crazy system, but you will get the car you ordered if you have a good sales person!

 

Yeah, apparently didn't quite look at the date that closely...

 

I'll check with him tomorrow, but they did tell me they were pulling a car they had on allocation for me.

 

Did you order a JCW? Just a thought, on Motoringfile.com they state that MINI is producing an updated/new'ish engine in June. Might be the reason for the 2013 switch or your order being dropped.?

 

Can't you add Sirius on top of your technology package or is it not even an option for 2013? If so, see if he can throw that in.

 

Just order the 2013 but do not let them charge you anymore then you agreed on.

That way everybody should be happy, The dealer gets a sale, the customer gets a great deal for the dealer/factory screw up.

 

This happens all the time. Manufacturers state a certain date when production of a certain model year will begin and when it will end.

You just happened to be caught in that grey area where 2012 production was wrapping up, but ordering was still open. By the time you actual order made it to the right place, 2012 had shut down and now 2013s are being built.

My GF company works with Ford and the same thing happened to the Focus. Orders were placed for 2012, but production ended middle of May. Once everything was finalized, it was too late. So now they are re-ordering 2013s.

 

Plus 1. Not every dealer has the same number of allocations based on past sales. I've had very good timing on all three MINI's I've ordered from high volume dealers and got them right at 5 weeks from the day I placed my orders. Smaller market may have to wait a while for a spare allocation and your's may have legitimately drifted into 2013 territory.
The color/options thing too is truly a mystery as others have noted. All of my orders started out with weird stuff on Owner's Lounge tracking but became "my car" before things got too far along.